Percy Pleases Tregoning In Gallop

Leading Stan James 2000 Guineas hope Sir Percy turned in a satisfactory performance as he enjoyed a racecourse spin at Newbury.

Marcus Tregoning sent the Mark Of Esteem colt over seven furlongs in company with Nahaar, a gelding who finished unplaced in two starts last term.

Martin Dwyer settled Sir Percy in behind early on before getting to work on the Classic hope in the straight.

Sir Percy responded to his urgings and quickly pulled clear before being eased down in the shadow of the post.

'I thought he would go well and I was very pleased,' said Tregoning.

'I think it was essential to do it. We're not going to have a run before the Guineas and a strong bit of work like that was quite essential for him. Martin was very pleased with him and I certainly am.

'Nahaar is a gelding by Royal Applause who was very kindly loaned by Sheikh Hamdan and he would be more of a sprinting sort of horse.

'The point of the exercise was to take him at a good clip for about three-parts of the way and then let the other horse do what Martin wanted.

'Someone recorded the time and said it was very good.

'We just wanted to get him used to the crowds again and the buzz and there was plenty of people there watching him, it was all good,' he told Racing UK.

Sir Percy is the 9-2 second favourite with both William Hill and Ladbrokes for the Guineas while both firms go 12-1 about his chances for the Vodafone Derby.

(C) PA Sport